Ten Reasons Why Wedding Music is so Important
By CAROLINE LANGHAM
The importance of music at your wedding
Today we are going to explore wedding music, and why we think choosing the right wedding music is such an important part of your wedding day.
It is amazing how, in the hustle and bustle of wedding planning this BIG thing seems to get left out, and then seems more of a chore, done in haste just days before your wedding.
So don’t leave this important part of your weding day to the last minute – Get thinking about those favourite tracks and start making your own playlists right now.
For those feeling less inspired we have sorted a few of our favourites which you can choose as they are, or maybe they will inspire you to start creating your own. Check out our favourites at the bottom of this blog… Happy choosing!
1 Music CAN PUT YOU AT EASE
“Walking into Cote How with our own music playing really made me feel so at home” – Cote How Bride 2022
Music is such a powerful thing. Whether you’re married or not, I’m sure we’ve all thought about wedding music at some point in our lives. Arguably wedding music is the most essential playlist you ever make? I guess it depends on what role music plays in your life. Personally, I really love music. I enjoy the attachments we make to music and how a song can literally take you back to the moment you met someone. This is why your wedding playlist is the perfect opportunity to create a tone for your day and rekindle precious memories of friends and family sharing your big day.
From getting ready upstairs with your best friends…
…to make your big entrance / walk down the aisle
2 Music creates the impact
The stand-out songs have to be the aisle music and first dance, don’t you think? These are key moments for people when reminiscing and both revolve around music choice. You want your entrance music to have a good opening. Potentially this could be the first time the guests catch a glimpse of the bride or groom, so the music needs to make an impact but nothing too boisterous. Whether being escorted by your father or your partner, you will want to make an entrance. The wedding entrance music lets your guests know you are on your way, and they all stand and wait in anticipation!
3 Going out with a BANG!
Well, you have just gone and done it! Married at last, or you may be thinking wow – What a relief… Party time! – What will be on your mind as you both dance back down the aisle?
I love it when the music says it all! It is important that your exit music is something uplifting and feel good, maybe faster paced, you want to go out with a bang as the newly married couple! The music should radiate that ecstatic energy you’re feeling.
4 The First Dance
When the newlyweds take themselves to the dance floor its time for the ever anticipated first dance, this is a prevalent tradition in European and American cultures. It usually takes place after the meal and generally kick-starts the wedding reception if you are having one of our extended luxe Saturday weddings. Dancing into their new married life together and then often the parents take to the dance floor too
5 Music over the ages
Music has been a part of the wedding celebrations since the late 16th century – Quite a long time, right! Although I think the role of music has changed slightly. I was curious when writing this and asked my 90-year-old Nanna about her wedding in 1958. She still has fond memories of her wedding songs even after all these years. When she got married, music choices were very limited. Back then, music was mainly found on the wireless, or if you were lucky enough to own a gramophone, it was those prized 78’s! Failing that is was at the local dance.
Now in a world with online streaming, we have an unconstrained choice of wedding music at our fingertips, giving nuptials that personal touch. The wedding music is more tailored to the couple who can be inventive and expressive with their song choices. This makes the wedding more memorable.
6 Music brings people together
Music doesn’t only bring people together, but it magically fills any awkward silences when people are milling around. For this reason we strongly recommend a milling playlist as this will add to the atmosphere of the day and eases out any pre-wedidng nerves, and gently sets the tone for the day.
7 Get your guests to contribute
Sometimes couples get overwhelmed when choosing music. Where do they start? You want the songs to be personal to you but not so obscure that your friends and family don’t enjoy them too as that’s crucial for your atmosphere.
It’s a great idea to get your guests involved. Have them choose a few tracks each, and intertwine them in your playlists, so everyone has a song they love, and there is something for everyone.
8 different genres to different times of day
If your wedding day spreads over the day and into the night, it is essential to make sure the music matches the time of day. For example, different paced music is needed for the meal compared to the evening when you’ll want it to be more upbeat. You probably don’t like slow music playing the whole evening! Create your playlists to build over time! It’s like crafting your own DJ spot. Build it throughout the night into more party vibes as the evening unfolds!
Then don’t forget those lovely smoochy songs at the end of the night to bring the euphoria back down to earth!
9 Music is the most incredible entertainer
Most importantly, music keeps your guests engaged and interested whilst helping with the flow of the day.
And the added benefit here at Cote How is that your music costs you nothing, as we can play your Spotify playlists through our Sonos speaker systems throughout the house and in the barn and gazebo so your music plays uninterupted throughout!
10 Music is a Memory Jerker
Music can evoke many memories, sometimes untapped for years. So often we hear guests at weddings saying… “remember this!” “Remember when…”.
A great track will fill a dancefloor in seconds too.
Music evokes emotions and old memories and leads to new memories being made which is what your wedding day is all about, new memories and new beginnings.
COTE HOW PLAYLISTS
For every wedding, we will need at least your “Ceremony” playlist.
You might also wish to create a separate personalised milling list too.
To help get you started we have put together some of our most played songs in little lists for you. By clicking on them you will be directed to our Spotify and from there you can start to create your own, then share them with us.
CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY songs
You can make your ceremony playlist as fun or serious as you wish, but remember it must NOT feature anything religious, refer to God, Jesus, Mary or the Church or mention faith in any way, as this is a Civil Ceremony not a religious one. Your song choices will be vetted by the Registrars ahead of your wedding day.
To create your own playlist:
- Find your song – Browse ours below or search for your own on Spotify
- Click on the three dots on the right
- Add to playlist – Or create New Playlist
- If new then find that playlist – Edit Details – Name it ” Your Wedding Date (YY/MM/DD) – Ceremony”
- Share – Copy URL. Paste into an email or your Wedding Checklist in your Portal
- We will need:
1x Entrance Song
2 x Signing Songs
1x Exit Song - Make sure your exit song has some Umphhhhh! It’s time to celebrate.
MILLING / MEAL
This can be one long playlist or split into two – Name them with your wedding date in this format “YY/MM/DD – ” followed by “milling” or “meal”. The length of this list will depend on your wedding style.
For an elope or micro make it about 2 hours long. If you have chosen sharing platters make it 3 hours and fr a a 6 hour make it 5 hours long. We can always “shuffle” if you are happy with that. If you are psending time outside in the summer, the chances are that not all the songs will be heard twice anyway!
RECEPTION - luxe weekends only
Remember that if you have booked one of our 2-hour 4-hour, or 6-hour packages these are limited in time and an evening reception is not included. So any favourite songs must be added to your milling and meal lists above!
If you have booked a Saturday extended day, then always kick off your evening playlist with your FIRST DANCE song, then we will make sure never to play that out of order!
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if you have enjoyed this blog, that’s great, I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
You may also enjoy this blog all about How to Book Your Lake District Wedding
Photography by:
Stanbury Photography
Jenna Carpenter Photography
Jo Greenfield Photography
Delicious Photography
Tom McNally Lake District wedding Photography
Entertainment already included in your wedding:
Spotify
Sonos
